Fraud-preventing device for coin-controlled machines.



No. 683,280. Patented Sept. 24, I9OI. M. HOFHEINIER. FRAUD PREVENTING DEVICE FOR COIN CONTROLLED MACHINES.

(Application filed Nov. 3, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

MAURICE lrIOFI-IEIMER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FRAUD-PREVENTING DEVICE FOR COIN-CONTROLLED MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 683,280, dated September 24, 1901.

Application filed November 3,1900. Serial lllo. 35,327. (No model.)

' State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fraud-Preventing Devices for Coin-Controlled Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to fraud-preventing devices for coin-controlled machines.

The object is to provide simple and efficient means for preventing the introduction into a coin-controlled machine of anything but a coin of the proper denomination and which in the event of the coin opening or passageway being plugged will prevent coins from being deposited until the obstruction is removed.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a face view, a portion of a vending-machine casing being shown. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a rear face view of the device detached. Figs. at and 5 are respectively face and vertical sectional views of a modified form of construction. Fig. 6

shows in vertical section a third modifica-,

tion. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are respectively face, vertical sectional, and bottom plan views of still another modification.

The essential features of my invention comprehend a head or casting occupying such relation to the coin-inlet opening in the body of the coin-controlled machine that when a coin of the proper denomination is placed on a guideway and moved over and into an opening at one end thereof it will enter a passage-way, through which it will have to pass to reach the coin-inlet opening leading to the controlling mechanism, the dimensions of such passage-way being such as to admit only the proper coin. This passageway is concealed from view, save that portion thereof which is coincident with the opening in the guideway. These features may be embodied in many different forms of construction, and in each instance the device may be secured to the casing by screws or rivets, or it may be formed integral with the casing, if of metal.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1, 2, and 3 show a head or casting 1 formed in its front face with a guideway 2, an opening 3 at one end thereof, and a surrounding hood 4. In the back of the head is a groove 5, a cut-out 6, and a chamber 7, said groove, together with the Wall of the casing, forming a passage-way of dimensions to admit only the coin of proper size. The latter, falling against the inclined wall 8 of chamber 7, will be properly directed into the coin-inlet opening 9 of the casing, and thus directed to the controlling mechanism. (Not shown.)

In the form indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 the head 10 is provided with the guideway 12, hood 13, opening 14, and passageway 15, terminating over the coin-opening 16, the passageway being directly back of and substantially in line with the guideway. In Fig. 6 the head 17, which is shown as secured to the top of the casing, is formed with a guideway 18, an end opening 19, and a passage-Way 20, formed in the body of the head, the width of such passage-way being increased directly above the coin-opening in the casing. In line with the opening 19 is a second but smaller opening 21, through which the device may be cleaned out from behind in case it should be stopped up.

The form shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 cmbodies a head 22, having the bottom of the guideway and the opening into the passageway, as well as the passage-way itself, formed by two plates 23 and 24, with overlapping beveled edges spaced apart sufficient to allowof the passage of the proper coin. These two plates are secured in grooves in the head by a set screw 25. The passage way is formed by the under faces of the two plates and terminates over the coin-inlet opening in the machine-casing.

In practice a coin is placed flat on the guide way and is then pushed over the latter into the opening at the upper end of the guideway and, passing through such opening at right angles to its previous movement, enters the passage-way, through which it travels to the inlet-opening in the vending-machine cas ing, where it may enter a chute and be con= chine.

veyed to the releasing mechanism of the ma- It will be noted that the passage-Way is of the dimensions corresponding to the coin of proper denomination and that such coin travels through such passage-Way at right angles to its passage through the opening. If the passage-way should be plugged by any one maliciously inclined, the introduction of further coins is prevented, since they cannot then pass beyond the opening at the end of the guideway. By means of the outwardlyprojecting hood it is difficult, if not impossible, for any one to plug the passage-way, since no instrument can be usedfor forcing an obstruction into the latter from a point in direct line therewith.

From what has been said the advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim as my invention-- 1. A protecting device for coin-controlled mechanism having a coin-guideway, an inlet for the coin, and an inner passage-Way, said inlet forming a communication between said guideway and said passage-way, and an outer hood or shield in such relation to said inner passage-way that access cannot be had thereto in direct line with the passage of a coin therethrough, as set forth.

2. A protecting device for coin-controlled machines having a coin-guideway, an inlet for the coin, and an inner passage-Way, said inlet forming a communication between said guideway and said passage-way, and an outer hood or shield partly surrounding said inlet and the sides of said guideway and projecting outwardly at right angles to said passageway, as set forth.

3. A protecting device for coin-controlled machines having an inlet for a coin, a guide- Way leading to said inlet, and a passage-way leading from such inlet, and a hood or shield partly surrounding said inlet and extended along the sides of said guideway, said hood or shield being extended outwardly at right angles to said passage-way, substantially as set forth.

4. A protecting device for coin-controlled machines consisting of a casting formed at its front with a guideway terminating in an inlet-opening for a coin, a passage-Way in or at the rear of said casting leading from said opening at right angles to the guideway, and a hood or shield projecting from the face of the casting around said opening and at right angles to said passage-way, substantially as set forth.

5. A protecting device for coin-controlled machines consisting of a casting formed at its front with a guideway terminating in an inlet-opening for a coin, a passage-way in or at the rear of said casting leading from said opening at right angles to the guideway, a chamber into which said passage-way opens having an inclined Wall in line with the opening of the machine-casing, and a hood or shield projecting from the face of the casting around said opening and at right angles to said passage-way, substantially as set forth. In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAURICE HOFHEIMER. WVitnesses:

SoLoMoN EARNEST, BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ. 

